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Am J Perinatol 2022; 39(S 01): S1-S6
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1757238
Review Article

Cardiac Effects of COVID-19 Infection, MIS-C, and the Vaccine in Infants and Children: What Is Known and Future Implications

Bryanna N. Schwartz 
1   Division of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
2   Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
,
Ashraf S. Harahsheh 
1   Division of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
2   Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
,
Anita Krishnan
1   Division of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
2   Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
,
Gerard R. Martin
1   Division of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
2   Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
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Abstract

The cardiac effects of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on the pediatric heart has become an area of particular interest as elevated cardiac enzymes and abnormalities on echocardiogram and electrocardiogram were seen in a portion of children affected by the virus. In this article, we review the cardiac manifestations of acute COVID-19 infection, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and postvaccine myocarditis. The limited research on the effects of COVID-19 on neonates and infants is also reported.

Key Points

  • Cardiac involvement from MIS-C is much higher than the risk of COVID-19 vaccine-induced myocarditis.

  • Neonates and infants have overall been less affected by COVID-19 than adults and older children.

  • At this point in time, there is limited research on the cardiac effects of COVID-19 in neonates.

Keywords

pediatric cardiology - COVID-19 - multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children - MIS-N - COVID-19 myocarditis


Publication History

Received: 07 May 2022

Accepted: 04 August 2022

Article published online:
28 October 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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